NEEL — Though Morgan County sheriff's deputy Doug Key was trying to back off his pursuit, he was still running his patrol car at about 100 mph when the chase crossed the five-way stop at Neel on Tuesday night.

A few miles back and just before midnight, Key had watched a white sport utility vehicle pass on a double yellow line on Alabama 36, said Chief Deputy Mike Corley.

"He attempted a turn there and was going too fast, left the roadway and went down into the woods, and that's where they arrested him," Corley said.

The vehicle's two occupants were trying to get out and behaving combatively when deputies reached them, Corley said.

Key charged the driver, John Claude Beasley, 29, of 148 Roberts Road with fleeing and attempting to elude, driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, driving with a revoked license, resisting arrest, driving on the wrong side of the road, no tag and third-degree criminal mischief.